Rory 'shoots down' Ryder Cup captain role

MASTERS champion Rory McIlroy has revealed that he has already 'shot down' the suggestion of serving as a playing Ryder Cup captain in the future.

- By OISIN DOHERTY

The Northern Irish star, who topped Europe's points list during their victory in Rome two years ago, said the idea had been raised with him, but he dismissed it straight away.

At 36 and currently ranked world No. 2, McIlroy still has plenty of years left at the top of the game, though his stance creates a tactical challenge for US captain Keegan Bradley, whose excellent season has lifted him to 12th in the world rankings and 10th in the American qualification table.

"I've been asked to do that and I've turned it down," said McIlroy, the first player to secure automatic selection for Europe's team for next month's contest at Bethpage in New York.